Ref Nicola Rizzoli slammed for ‘bottling’ Gareth Bale sending off which could have prevented Seamus Coleman leg break
SERIOUS questions are being asked of Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli in the aftermath of Seamus Coleman’s horrific double leg break.
Fans believe the career-threatening injury could have been prevented had Rizzoli not bottled the chance to send Gareth Bale off moments earlier.
Nicola Rizzoli’s decision not to send Gareth Bale off may have had an impact on Neil Taylor’s tackleGetty ImagesGareth Bale should have seen red for his lunge on John O’SheaRex Features
The Real Madrid star escaped with just a yellow card following a dangerously high tackle on Ireland’s John O’Shea midway through the second half.
Bale’s studs went straight into O’Shea’s standing leg which left the Sunderland man requiring stitches – although it could have been a lot worse for the veteran.
And fans are suggesting that Neil Taylor wouldn’t have flown in on the Everton right-back had Bale been shown a red card earlier in the clash.
Rizzoli, who has been crowned Serie A’s Referee of the Year for six consecutive seasons, was also in charge of the game when Manchester United’s Luke Shaw saw his leg shattered in 2015.
The Italian ref did send off Neil Taylor for his horrendous challenge on Seamus ColemanGetty ImagesSeamus Coleman suffered a double leg break after this tackle from Neil TaylorSportsfile
Last night's ref, Nicola Rizzoli, same one that saw Luke Shaw end up with a mangled leg and saw nothing wrong with the tackle.
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